NYC FOODIE CHINATOWN RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: JOE'S GINGER

Another week, another fabulous Chinese restaurant in Chinatown. Joe's Ginger, a spot I had walked by numerous times, and just assumed was too touristy for me, is actually great! I stopped in recently and had a wonderful meal.

Scallion pancakes ($1.95) were crispy, flaky, and perfect. 

Joe's Shanghai, right down the block from Joe's Ginger, is known for their great pork soup dumplings, I love them. Well, I'm happy to say that the pork and crabmeat soup dumplings ($6.25) at Joe's Ginger are fucking awesome! Order them.

Sweet and sour prawns are very tasty, a tad on the sweet side, but will be devoured in moments.

Roasted duck is one glistening delicious bird.

So for great chinese and superb soup dumplings, Joe's Ginger hits the spot.

Joe's Ginger
25 Pell St.
New York, NY 10013
212-285-0999

www.joeginger.com

NYC FOODIE BROOKLYN RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: THE COMMODORE

I don't get to Brooklyn enough, but I'm trying. Brooklyn restaurants are cool, hip, laid back, and serve some great food! I stopped by the bar The Commodore a few weeks ago, which serves some really good Southern/Soul food. I've heard raves about their fried chicken and grilled cheese, so being on the diet I am, I ordered both. 

The fried chicken, 3 thighs and a biscuit for $11, was great. The skin was crispy, flaky, and wonderful. The meat, tender and juicy. I do prefer my skin with more seasoning, but I'd still say it was a great fried chicken. The "Adult" grilled cheese ($6), was fine, perfect if you were high. 

So if you are craving a bar in Brooklyn with great Southern cooking, definitely set sail withThe Commodore .

The Commodore
366 Metropolitan Ave (bet. Havemeyer st. and Marcy ave)
Brooklyn, NY 11211
718-218-7632

NYC FOODIE CHINATOWN RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: GRAND HARMONY

If you love dim sum like I do, then you need to check out Grand Harmony in Chinatown. I get asked frequently, "Where should I go for dim sum?", and after my experience last week, Grand Harmony is up there with the best of them! This ballroom size dim sum palace has amazing dim sum. My sister, her fiance, and myself, were three of the few caucasians there, which is always a good sign. Pick whatever you want from the roving carts and have a ball! Dim sum heaven awaits!

Grand Harmony
98 Mott St. (bet. Hester and Canal)
New York, NY 10013
212-226-6603

NYC FOODIE BROOKLYN RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: MILE END

Mile End, the Brooklyn delicatessen specializing in smoked meat, is great. I went last week and tried a few of their sandwiches, and was in smoked meat heaven. 

The smoked meat sandwich ($9), cured & smoked beef brisket, mustard, on rye was absolutely fantastic! The smokiness of the meat changed the way I looked at deli sandwiches forever.

The Ruth Wilensky ($7) smoked beef salami, mustard, on an onion roll, will make you smile.

For all you turkey breast fans, definitely check out the Grandpa ($8.5), smoked turkey breast, mustard, on rye. It's sure to complete you, like it did me.

Add a side of coleslaw ($3), red cabbage, celery root, carrot, and caraway, as well as the frites ($5). The perfect sides, for the perfect lunch.

So head to Mile End in Brooklyn for some fabulous smoked meat sandwiches, it'll change your life.

Mile End 
97a Hoyt St.
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718-852-7510
www.mileendbrooklyn.com

NYC FOODIE'S VALENTINE'S DAY DINING GUIDE

Ah, Valentine’s Day. That romantic holiday, brought to us by Hallmark, for commercial gains. The holiday of romance. Love. And, hopefully getting lucky..It comes around once a year, and once a year you are faced with that dreaded dilemma. “Where do I take my date?” Well, The Foodie Magician is here to give you a few suggestions. I’m single, but know about almost every restaurant in NYC..So, these are just a few, but all are from the heart.

1. Recette- Jesse Schenker’s unique dishes, with great flavor and texture, set in a romantic space in the West Village, will get your date excited. Christina Lee’s desserts will close the deal. (order the Smores dessert!) www.recettenyc.com

2. The Little Owl- Another West Village restaurant, quaint and homey, romantic, perfect for a date. Joey Campanaro’s cooking will warm you up.www.thelittleowlnyc.com

3. Daniel – nothing says romance like 4-star French restaurants. Daniel Boulud’s namesake restaurant is upscale, 4-star all the way, from the food, to the room, to the service. It doesn’t come cheap, but neither does love. www.danielnyc.com

4. Peasant – woodburning oven Italian cooking in Nolita will have your date crooning for you all night long. www.peasantnyc.com

5. Marea- Michael White’s Northern Italian seafood on Central Park South is fabulous. The sea urchin crostini with lardo is an orgasm in your mouth. www.marea-nyc.com

6. Gramercy Tavern – A true Danny Meyer winner. An always solid restaurant.www.gramercytavern.com

7. Torrisi Italian Specialties – Another gem in Nolita, the inspired Italian cooking, in a charming space, will have your date smiling all night long. www.piginahat.com

8. Casa Mono – have some fabulous Spanish tapas in Gramercy. The open kitchen will excite your date. The wine will put them at ease, the fideos with chorizo and clams will haver her/him moaning. www.casamononyc.com

9. Sushi Azabu – sublime sushi at this sushi treasure within another restaurant. It’s hidden, its romantic, it’s great. www.greenwichgrill.com

10. Wd-50- why not take your date to NYC’s most experimental restaurant. Wylie Dufresne’s ingenious dishes are creative, unique, and out of this world. It’s not dinner, it’s an experience. Your date will be forever grateful for this true culinary adventure. www.wd-50.com

Cocktail Lounges

Nothing says romance and love like drinking. Here are my suggestions of where to take your Valentine to drink wine, or to just get plain old drunk.

Wine Bars

1. Anfora - fabulous and perfect. www.anforanyc.com
2. Terroir – passionate about wine. www.restauranthearth.com/terroir/terrior.html
3. Bar Jamon – Spanish wine heaven. www.casamononyc.com

Cocktail Lounges

1. Apotheke – hidden in Chinatown this cocktail lounge serves amazing drinks, in a great setting. www.apothekenyc.com
2. Mayahuel – the way to anyone’s heart is tequila. This tequila and mescal haven will get your date drunk, in a good way. www.mayahuelny.com
3. The Pegu Club – expert cocktails in Soho. www.peguclub.com
4. Lani Kai – you might not get lei’d at this Hawaiian themed cocktail den, but hopefully after a few delicious cocktails, you’ll get laid. www.lanikainy.com
5. Raines Law Room – a hidden cocktail den on 17th street that surely hits all the spots. www.raineslawroom.com
6. Death and Co. – mixology done right in the east village.www.deathandcompany.com
7. Cienfuegos – if your date loves rum, this is the lounge you bring her too. It’s all they serve. But the drinks are fabulous. www.cienfuegosny.com
8. The Summit Bar – an awesome cocktail lounge in the way east village. If your date loves red bell pepper, order the “Ground to Glass” cocktail, it’s mindblowing.www.thesummitbar.net

And for dessert..

1. Jacques Torres Chocolates – nothing says Valentines Day like chocolate. Take your date to the “King” of Chocolate, Jacques Torres, his chocolates will treat you just right. www.mrchocolate.com
2. Chickalicious – this dessert bar in the East Village will inspire your date.www.chickalicious.com
3. The Doughnut Plant – the peanut butter and jelly donut from The Donut Plant is the best thing I’ve ever put in my mouth. Your date should put it in their mouth too. Trust me. www.doughnutplant.com
4. Payard – Francois Payard is a pastry wizard. The best. www.payard.com

BON APPETIT!!!

NYC FOODIE SANDWICH SHOP OF THE WEEK: SANPANINO

I love Italian sandwiches. For some fabulous ones, you should stop by Sanpanino in the West Village. I tried two last week for lunch and was in Italian sandwich heaven. The San Classico ($7.75), with sopressata, mortadella, fresh mozzarella, roasted peppers, fresh basil, olive oil & balsamic was amazing. Just as amazing is the Forte E Dolce ($8.25), hot & sweet capocollo, provolone, roasted peppers, jalapeno peppers and olive oil. Bon Appetito!

Sanpanino
494 Hudson St. (at Christopher St.)
New York, NY 10014
212-645-7228

NYC FOODIE CHINATOWN RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: BIG WONG

I'm going to try to refrain from making any sexual innuendos regarding Big Wong, a somewhat touristy, but pretty darn good Chinese restaurant on Mott Street in Chinatown. More than one person had recommended this spot to me, and I stopped in last week for some really great bites.

A combo plate of roast pork and roast duck over rice was succulent and really good.

Steamed dumplings with pork and shrimp, and oyster sauce were wonderful! Great flavor, perfectly cooked, dumpling heaven.

So, if you never tried Big Wong, you should. It surely made me feel good inside.

Big Wong
67 Mott St. (bet. Canal and Bayard)
New York, NY 10013

212-964-0549

NYC FOODIE CHINATOWN RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK: PHO CHO BEN THANH

Another dandy Vietnamese joint, in a sea of Vietnamese joints in Chinatown, is Pho Cho Ben Thanh. Nothing about this place is mind-blowing, but a recent lunch here delivered satisfying Vietnamese cuisine. When I'm paying $5-$8 a dish, I have nothing really to complain about. A nice Pho, some tasty fried frog's legs, and a fine beef with curry sauce hit the spot. Chinatown in NYC, is another world, and I strongly recommend you get down there to go on a some amazing and magical culinary adventures.

Pho Cho Ben Thanh
76 Mott St. (bet. Canal and Bayard)
New York, NY 10013
212-925-8420

NYC FOODIE UPCOMING FOODIE EVENT: A VOCE NEGOZIO GASTRONOMICO

A Voce Executive Chef Missy Robbins Hosts

A Voce Negozio Gastronomico

Presented by Time Warner Center’s Culinary Club, Circle of Taste
WHAT: Join us at A Voce Columbus for an exclusive 4-course lunch inspired by the Italian grocery. Find out where to source the best specialty ingredients and learn insider techniques and recipes from A Voce Executive Chef Missy Robbins, who will present and explain each dish as it comes out. Time Warner Center’s premiere culinary club, Circle of Taste, provides exclusive access, behind the scenes events and one-on-one experiences with New York City’s leading chefs from the Center's Restaurant and Bar Collection. Membership is free and open to all. Patrons can enroll at www.circleoftaste.com 

WHO: Executive Chef Missy Robbins has received critical acclaim for creating classic Italian dishes with a contemporary twist, executed with subtle flair and an innate elegance. Her cuisine focuses on simplicity, highlighting flavorful ingredients and referencing traditions from diverse regions throughout Italy. Robbins has been named one of the Best New Chefs in numerous culinary publications, further broadening her notoriety and culinary reputation in the U.S. and internationally.

WHERE: A Voce Columbus
10 Columbus Circle, 3rd floor
NY, NY 10019
WHEN: Saturday, November 6, 2010, beginning at Noon
PRICE: Exclusive 4-course: $95 per person, all inclusive (tax and gratuity included)
Exclusive 4-course with wine pairing: $125, all inclusive (tax and gratuity included)
Go to www.circleoftaste.com to purchase tickets

NYC FOODIE BRUNCH OF THE WEEK: FIVE POINTS

My amazing father's birthday led my family and me to one of the most popular brunch spots in NYC: Five Points. Five Points is on many people's "Best Brunches" list, and after our brunch last week, I can see why. 

Order the churros with Mexican hot chocolate ($10) for the table, they are the best churros I've had. Soft and fluffy, soothing, and wonderful.

Lemon-ricotta pancakes ($12) with Vermont maple syrup were excellent. These perfect little flapjacks with delicious flavor, had the NYC Foodie grinning wide. A side of pork-fennel sausage ($6) was also great! Juicy and tasty, they were devoured blissfully.

So for one of the best Brunches in town, head over to Five Points (weekends only); you'll be glad you did.

Five Points
31 Great Jones St. (bet. Lafayette and Bowery)
New York, NY 10012
212-253-5700

www.fivepointsrestaurant.com